Apr. 05, 2013
What's in a Label?
by Annette Heist
A new book looks at how the way we think and behave can be shaped by forces we aren't aware of.
Aug. 03, 2012
From the Archives: Talking with Sally Ride
by Annette Heist
Dr. Sally Ride died last month at age 61, of pancreatic cancer. In 2003 Science Friday spoke with Ride.
Jul. 03, 2012
One Species at a Time: Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles
by Encyclopedia of Life
Cyprus is split in half, with a Turkish sector in the north and a Greek sector in the south. The unofficial division makes scientific collaboration in this Mediterranean island nation all but impossible; it also complicates management of the island's endangered sea turtles.
Jun. 20, 2012
Bug Bytes: Chill Out
by The Bug Chicks
For this podcast, world renowned architect Mick Pearce joins us from Zimbabwe to talk about the design of the Eastgate Center in Harare. There are no electrical AC units in the building – instead, Pearce used termite mound structure as inspiration for the ventilation system!
Jun. 19, 2012
Anole Lizards
by Encyclopedia of Life
Encyclopedia of Life fellow Rosario Castañeda takes us to the back rooms of Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, searching through dozens of jars of pickled anole lizards to see the traces of evolution in action.
Jun. 12, 2012
Fungi Podcast
by Encyclopedia of Life
This week’s EOL podcast begins with a riddle about a life form that’s all around us, yet rarely seen. Working under cover, it sends its ghostly tendrils into almost every corner of the terrestrial world. We associate it with death and decay, but life as we know it would be impossible without it.
Apr. 03, 2012
Ugandan Butterfly Podcast
by Encyclopedia of Life
Ugandan lepidopterist Perpetra Akite studies at a university in the capital city, far from the farm where she grew up. Since she began studying butterflies as a girl, the landscape of her homeland has changed radically, for butterflies as well as people. It’s change that can be measured in many ways—in the inches of rainfall, acres of forest cleared—or the span of a tiny butterfly’s wings. Ari Daniel Shapiro reports from Kigale.
Mar. 14, 2012
Tracking Insects
by The Bug Chicks
We're on our way back from an idyllic week in Costa Rica. We've been filming for a solid seven days and we can't even begin to tell you the things we've seen. Frogs, snakes, mammals and insects...oh the insects. When entomologists die, their souls go to Costa Rica.
Feb. 08, 2012
Eat It: The Argument for Entomophagy
by The Bug Chicks
Insects as food is making headlines again. An article released by The Daily Mail in late January discussed how the European Union is spending 3 million Euro to explore insect protein as a food supplements, as well as using insects to combat food shortages. We decided to re-post our podcast about entomophagy (the eating of insects) in order to start the discussion here on Talking Science!
Jan. 31, 2012
Sanibel Island Shells Podcast
by Encyclopedia of Life
In this podcast, Ari Daniel Shapiro joins the serious beachcombers along the high-tide line of Sanibel Island, Florida. These “shellers” come in search of beautiful sea shells, sometimes no bigger than a grain of rice, that are the remains of marine snails, bivalves, and other mollusks.
Jan. 18, 2012
Bug Bytes - Break a Leg!
by The Bug Chicks
Parasitoid wasps are usually considered beneficial insects because they attack common pests. But according to research by the Scottish Crop Research Institute, there’s one species that may be causing more harm than good. When a good guy goes bad, it’s bound to get interesting.
Jan. 11, 2012
Bug Bytes - Hold The Lettuce
by The Bug Chicks
Human obesity rates are soaring here in America. We take a very Bug Bytes look at how scientists are solving the problem, using insects! You’ll be surprised how insects regulate their body size and fitness. Do 10 jumping jacks and listen to this!
Dec. 22, 2011
Bug Bytes -- The Insects' Christmas
by The Bug Chicks
For our first podcast, and just in time for the holidays, we explore the insect stop motion animation work of Ladislaw Starevitch, a Russian insect enthusiast. He created The Insects' Christmas, a lovely short film that’s perfect for the season. So leave out some cookies for Santa and some crumbs for the beetles and join us on Bug Bytes.
Nov. 09, 2011
Bug Bytes Podcast -- On The Fringe
by The Bug Chicks
You think you know what moths do at night, but there are some that operate outside the norm. And don’t even get us started on caterpillars. We’re looking at counter culture and strange societies in the insect world on this episode of Bug Bytes. So turn on the porch light and press play.
Oct. 12, 2011
Bug Bytes - Toil and Trouble
by The Bug Chicks
Look out, Harry Potter. This episode of Bug Bytes is all treats, no tricks! In this podcast, see how cultures around the world have used insects for centuries in magic and divination.
Sep. 14, 2011
Bug Bytes - Mascots with Sting
by The Bug Chicks
Are you ready for some football?? The Bug Bytes team looks at what it takes to make a great mascot, and why yellow jackets are the most popular insect mascot. Hut!
Jun. 29, 2011
Bug Bytes - Gaga for Bugs
by The Bug Chicks
Pop artists get all the glory when it comes to dazzling performances and fabulous costumes - but the insects did it first! In this episode of Bug Bytes, we explore performance art in the insect world. It's insects and art like you've never heard it!
May. 25, 2011
Bug Bytes - Eat It: The Argument for Entomophagy
by The Bug Chicks
Entomophagy is a growing trend here in the U.S. but let’s face it – for the majority, the “ick” factor prevails. In this episode of Bug Bytes, the Bug Chicks take a bite out of the main reason people aren’t cool with bugs as food and highlight some of the people working to change their minds.
May. 11, 2011
Bug Bytes - Buzz Off!
by The Bug Chicks
Summer is right around the corner, and with the season comes mosquitoes. This podcast is dedicated to giving you the low-down on some of the most popular insect repellents, both chemical and natural, to keep you healthy and itch-free this season!
May. 02, 2011
Bug Bytes Podcast -- Ode to the Microscope
by The Bug Chicks
The microscope is an essential tool and scientists are pretty devoted to them. In this Bug Bytes podcast, learn a bit about the history of the scope and why looking through the lens can be an eye-opening experience.
Mar. 02, 2011
Bug Bytes Podcast - Luke, I Am Your Larvae...
by The Bug Chicks
Ever wonder where Hollywood gets some of its creatures for science fiction? Or if any of it could be true? This podcast explores some of the science behind the fiction, and why bugs are such popular scapegoats as the bad guys.
Feb. 02, 2011
Bug Bytes - Locomotion
by The Bug Chicks
Think insects have nothing to do with medicine? Think again. Scientists are using some of the most unlikely bugs to do great things in human medicine. Here we explore an insect we love to hate and how it can help the science of prosthetic limbs.
Feb. 02, 2011
Bug Bytes - Bugging Bees
by The Bug Chicks
In this episode of Bug Bytes, we explore new technologies for tracking insects as they are on the move. In South America, orchid bees are wearing radio backpacks, Bees are some of the most important organisms on the planet, and scientists have devised an interesting new way to find out more about them.
Dec. 02, 2010
Bug Bytes Podcast -- Sticky Stuff
by The Bug Chicks
Bug Bytes explores the competitive world of spider silk research. Cutting edge research is dissected and we breakdown some silk basics. From metal enhanced silk to some startling work with goats, you’ll quickly get caught in the web.
To access older blog posts, navigate via the archive links in the sidebar at left.
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